Well, it's never too late to reconnect. Perhaps you could even start your own club or society! The "Magic Research Club"! Or the "Society for Magical Research"! ♪
[This is just the Magic Showcase all over again...
He smiles, trying to stay upbeat despite the dreary subject matter. The truth is that he can't blame Loki if Loki gets turned off from rebelling against the House. Who wants to be punished? It's easier not to rock the boat. To keep your head down and live with the status quo no, matter how unbearable things get. It's a human nature. A matter of self-preservation.
But if anyone's fearless or foolhardy enough to stand against the House no matter what the House might do to them, it's probably Loki. That's what he figured. He's still willing to go against the House, too, of course.
Though he doesn't exactly have a great answer for that last question.]
I guess it depends on how many people are included in "everyone"... I can tell Esikko-kun you want to talk to him, unless you'd rather reach out yourself. His username is easy to remember, since it's "wildflower!" But as for Baizhu and Hua Cheng...
[A pause, and then he says:]
Maybe we can all go to the Red Cardinal? For a Magic Showcase winners' meal! That was supposed to be one of the prizes. It's just that we never found a time that worked for all of us, and then everyone sort of forgot. But I'm sure Jin Mingming would be happy to accommodate all of us.
[Loki hums non-committally. It’s not that he doesn’t want to, or even that he’s worried about the House might do, but he’s starting to be concerned with how many people he’s dragging into this. It does sound as though this Esikko is already in for a pound himself, but every once in a while, Loki starts to revert back to his old ways of trying to do everything alone.
He’s even less sure about starting a team. Reasonably he knows that Hiyori is right, that it’s a good idea, but Loki in any kind of leadership position does not typically go well.]
You may tell him I would like to talk to him. I can speak with Baizhu myself. You are such a natural leader though. I could see it with how you got the Magic Showcase together, and you do seem to have all the contacts. Perhaps it would be easier for you to get everyone together?
[There, that sounds perfectly reasonable. Loki wouldn’t want Hiyori to think he’s afraid or lacking confidences, but as it turns out, this place will grind anyone down eventually. He does look a little relieved when Hiyori mentions the Red Cardinal though.]
Yes, that would be the perfect excuse. The House will not suspect if we simply all get together for that reason. And it would be easier to speak with everyone at the same time.
Then I guess I'll talk to him, you'll talk to Baizhu, and we'll all talk to each other! ♪
[He injects his voice with plenty of cheer.
Even though they're talking about business, not some social gathering. And there isn't a lot to be cheerful about, in all honestly. He's not really sure anything will come of their meeting; not sure they'll ever truly break free. Are they destined to live as caged birds forever? Is it that or turn to stone?
But Esikko did get close to opening up paths home, or so he said. If he combined his magic with a god's, who knows what might happen? And if nothing else, Hiyori figures that having other people to work with might keep him from running himself into the ground. If he can prevent that, none of this will be a waste.
He smiles and concludes:]
Then that's where we'll meet.
[The Red Cardinal.
That's the end of that topic. For now, anyway. But it's not all he came here to say. This next one is more difficult, and he pauses for a moment, smile dulling just a bit.]
There's something else I wanted to ask you for, too. Though it's nothing you'd need to do right now.
Yes, that will work. I will message Baizhu shortly and let you know what happens. [He’s only just begun to get to know Baizhu, but he thinks he will agree to at least speak of these things. Hopefully he’s correct about that.
Loki also thinks more and more that it really would be a better idea for Hiyori to be in charge of organizing all of this. Despite the cheer in his voice, Loki can hear how serious he is about all of this as well. His charm and way with people in general will do them all good. Loki’s attempted leadership enough in his life to know that he is not suited to it and to know when someone else is.
What Hiyori says next has him intrigued.]
Okay, what is it you need from me?
[Loki is pretty sure he’ll say yes to whatever it is. He knows all too well how much Hiyori has helped him out and doesn’t foresee saying no now, but the way he asks has Loki a little worried.]
[If only he could leave it there. With him thanking Loki for reaching out to Baizhu. Alas, he can't.
He thinks about how Baizhu reacted when he tried to talk about this with him. He did promise, in the end, but he wasn't happy. And Hiyori knows, after the experience they shared in the Punishment Room, that this won't make Loki happy, either. Still, he comes out and says it.]
I asked Baizhu-san about this too, actually. Basically, I wanted you both to know that I keep some notes in my room. About how the resort works, what happens to people here, what the House and the suits are like, and all that stuff. Then I wrote some personal messages too, for people here and people back home.
[A slight pause, before he clarifies:]
Kind of like the note that other "me" wrote for Jun-kun.
[He forces a smile. It's hard; he's not in quite as bad a state as he was when he spoke to Baizhu, because Rinne's disappearance isn't still a fresh wound. But it still hurts, still makes him feel scared. Every day, he wonders who will be next: will it be someone he's met here, or someone from his world? If it's the latter—if it's inevitable that someone else from his world will disappear—then he can only hope that it's him instead of Jun. Even though he knows that's the last thing his partner would ever want...
He shakes off those feelings of dread and guilt, looking Loki in the eye as he asks:]
So if I ever disappear and become a statue like Rinne-senpai, I was hoping you could recover those. You'd have an easier time with that than Baizhu-san, since you've already broken into that storage room before. We both know it takes a while to find things in there, though, so I wondered if it might be better to leave you with a copy.
[There's a longer pause now; he's watching, gauging Loki's response.]
[It becomes evident rather quickly that whatever it is that Hiyori is about to ask him is rather serious. He can see the other man is trying to keep up his usual peppy spirit, but there’s a sadness there, just lurking under the surface, that he can see and understand. A lot has happened since they had become friends and Loki doubts the other man has been unaffected by it all.
Though his first instinct is to jump in, start talking, Loki manages to reign himself in and just listen. It’s something he’s gotten better at in recent years, not just distracting with words, but actually listening to what others are saying to him. Even when it’s something hard to hear. And what Hiyori is saying is very hard to hear.
Loki understands though. He had also been friendly with Rinne and had been horrified when he’d seen his statue. Helping Reign move the statue to his suite had been one of the hardest things he’d had to do since arriving at the Hotel. And Rinne certainly isn’t the only person he’s lost. Scott might have come back in a younger form, but he is not the friend Loki once had. All that Loki has of him is his old visor. Something he has yet to tell his younger variant.]
So we are clear, you wish for me to take the information about the Hotel that you have gathered as well as letters to those you care about and make sure they get where they need to go, in the event that you suffer the same fate as some of our friends who have left abruptly?
[His lips tick up a bit more and he nods shortly, grateful for the understanding.]
Mm. That sounds exactly right.
[One day, they'll watch musicals and get up to the fun kind if mischief. One day, he'll share Jun's cooking with Loki and brag about how well he trained his partner. One day, they'll talk about more cheerful things.
But for now he just continues with his request.]
I haven't finished them all yet. But if you don't mind, I'll hand you some letters meant for those closest to me. You can keep them at the bottom of a drawer somewhere and forget them, unless I do disappear.
[It makes a lot of sense, actually. Loki wonders if he should do the same, write up some notes for those he’s become closest to here, but what would he even say? What would make any sort of difference to those left behind? Does anyone here even care that much for him? Loki definitely has friends, he knows that, but it isn’t like he has someone the way Hiyori has Jun.]
I do not mind at all. Though I hope I never have to hand them out. I would much prefer we figure out how to properly get home, but yes, I will do this for you.
[Loki comes up short then, frowning slightly in confusion.]
[He's grateful Loki isn't putting up a fuss. That he doesn't tell him it won't happen to him, or try to convince him not to expect the worst. That he isn't stricken the way Baizhu was. Instead he says he'll do but that he hopes he never has to, and Hiyori smiles, agreeing readily.]
Thanks a lot! ♪
[And then:]
It's the same for me too, of course. I haven't given up yet. And I'm sure others won't, either.
[Apart from Loki, there are others. There's Bakugo, who intends to use his Wish to defeat the House—a true hero. There's Esikko, who already tried to get them out of here once, and suffered the consequences for it. There's Topaz, who's always working hard with everyone's well-being in mind. He's met all sorts of amazing people here, with all sorts of powers.
But all the same, it's been a while, and no one's succeeded at overthrowing the House or finding a way home yet. When it does happen—and in his heart he does believe that it's a "when" and not an "if"—there's no telling when that will be. Or indeed, whether he'll still be around for it.
Despite harboring that grim outlook, though, his smile is genuine when he nods at the end, the look in his eyes warm.]
Of course! I was raised in a noble household, so I had all sorts of manners drilled into me. That's how I know it would be the height of rudeness to leave without saying goodbye, or giving you a proper thank you. You've done a lot for me, after all.
[He wouldn't entrust his final wishes to just anyone.]
[It is the least he can do, really. Loki doesn’t like the thought of things going wrong and needing to hand out those notes. He would completely understand Baizhu’s reaction as well, but it seems to him that despite how much he doesn’t want something like that to happen to Hiyori, it doesn’t mean it won’t. So he will do what he can for his friend.]
You are most welcome. I do hope none of us come to the point where we feel we need to give up. I would not want to see any of us become like the more long term residents here.
[Loki has met some of those people and he is glad they are all working so hard, but he can admit, if only to himself, that he has not been putting his all into figuring this place out with others. It has mostly only been Hiyori pushing him along. It seems Loki has fallen back into old habits by trying to figure this place out on his own, at least for the most part.]
Ah yes, manners are everything. I had the same lessons drilled into me as well.
[Even if he didn’t always keep in the habit, as it were. He’s only glad Frigga didn’t see most of those times.] Well then, thank you. I appreciate you thinking of me. But really, I would have to say that it is you who has done much for me.
We've been here for a while at this point, and we haven't become anything like them. I'm sure that speaks to our ironclad sense of self. Though it might also help that I've stayed out of the casino. I heard the dealers there like sucking up people's lifeforce, whatever that means.
[He keeps his tone light. There's more he could say; without Jun to ground him, he honestly doesn't know how he would've turned out in this environment. Would he have fallen back into old habits, treating people like tools, passing his time doing nothing useful? Would he have stopped caring about anything? He likes to think he would've tried to get home, that he wouldn't want to leave Nagisa or the rest of his makeshift family behind. But that desire could've led him to some dark places, too. When people are desperate enough...
Well, there's no use speculating about what-ifs. And maybe his soul would've been fine, since he still would've had companions like Loki by his side. People who value him as more than just a card to be obtained. His eyes shine as he says:]
Then let's make a toast. When we finally go out for drinks, we'll toast to our friendship! To all that we've done for each other, and all that we will do...♪
[Loki can’t help but smile fondly. He would like to believe that too. That they will come through this with their minds intact no matter how long it takes for them to get out of here, but seeing how the long term guests are and knowing his own past issues, he is not overly optimistic. It just makes him more convinced that they need to figure this out as quickly as possible.]
Yes, I tend to stay out of the casino as well, though that is only part of the reason. Mostly I just do not care so much about gambling. Even when not actively working to get out of here, there are much more pleasant places in the resort to visit.
[If anyone knows about how dark you can go in desperate times, it is definitely Loki. He is also the one who would know about how to come back from that. He also has no intention of ever letting Hiyori fall like that, nor any of his friends. No matter what happens here, he will do everything he can from preventing such things, Hiyori need not worry about that.]
That sounds like a wonderful plan. We should do that soon.
True! There's lots to do, even with the theme being what it is. I wouldn't mind taking Jun-kun and the rest of our unit to a real resort once this is over.
[If it's ever over. With every day that passes, he's less sure it will be.
But he won't succumb to those fears. Not now, and hopefully not ever. Even if things never improve at all, even if he's destined to disappear, even if he and Jun-kun and Leo-kun are absolutely doomed, he wants to be seen as someone who smiled until the end.]
That is a wonderful idea. I am sure they will all appreciate that. Really, I think all of us could likely use a real vacation after leaving this place.
[Even Loki, though he can’t imagine anything will have settled down enough for him once he’s home. Probably the exact opposite. It’s nice to dream though.
No matter what, Loki plans on fighting to the end. He didn’t give up at the TVA and he’s not about to give up here either. He plans on doing whatever it takes to get him and all his friends, Hiyori included, out of here and back home, no matter how long it takes.]
[A voluntary resort vacation from their involuntary resort vacation.
His time here hasn't been all bad, despite all his griping. And that's partly because of Loki. Because of the people he's met who are fun, fascinating, kind... He smiles at Loki, warm and full of gratitude, and he hopes this is how he's always remembered.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[This is just the Magic Showcase all over again...
He smiles, trying to stay upbeat despite the dreary subject matter. The truth is that he can't blame Loki if Loki gets turned off from rebelling against the House. Who wants to be punished? It's easier not to rock the boat. To keep your head down and live with the status quo no, matter how unbearable things get. It's a human nature. A matter of self-preservation.
But if anyone's fearless or foolhardy enough to stand against the House no matter what the House might do to them, it's probably Loki. That's what he figured. He's still willing to go against the House, too, of course.
Though he doesn't exactly have a great answer for that last question.]
I guess it depends on how many people are included in "everyone"... I can tell Esikko-kun you want to talk to him, unless you'd rather reach out yourself. His username is easy to remember, since it's "wildflower!" But as for Baizhu and Hua Cheng...
[A pause, and then he says:]
Maybe we can all go to the Red Cardinal? For a Magic Showcase winners' meal! That was supposed to be one of the prizes. It's just that we never found a time that worked for all of us, and then everyone sort of forgot. But I'm sure Jin Mingming would be happy to accommodate all of us.
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He’s even less sure about starting a team. Reasonably he knows that Hiyori is right, that it’s a good idea, but Loki in any kind of leadership position does not typically go well.]
You may tell him I would like to talk to him. I can speak with Baizhu myself. You are such a natural leader though. I could see it with how you got the Magic Showcase together, and you do seem to have all the contacts. Perhaps it would be easier for you to get everyone together?
[There, that sounds perfectly reasonable. Loki wouldn’t want Hiyori to think he’s afraid or lacking confidences, but as it turns out, this place will grind anyone down eventually. He does look a little relieved when Hiyori mentions the Red Cardinal though.]
Yes, that would be the perfect excuse. The House will not suspect if we simply all get together for that reason. And it would be easier to speak with everyone at the same time.
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[He injects his voice with plenty of cheer.
Even though they're talking about business, not some social gathering. And there isn't a lot to be cheerful about, in all honestly. He's not really sure anything will come of their meeting; not sure they'll ever truly break free. Are they destined to live as caged birds forever? Is it that or turn to stone?
But Esikko did get close to opening up paths home, or so he said. If he combined his magic with a god's, who knows what might happen? And if nothing else, Hiyori figures that having other people to work with might keep him from running himself into the ground. If he can prevent that, none of this will be a waste.
He smiles and concludes:]
Then that's where we'll meet.
[The Red Cardinal.
That's the end of that topic. For now, anyway. But it's not all he came here to say. This next one is more difficult, and he pauses for a moment, smile dulling just a bit.]
There's something else I wanted to ask you for, too. Though it's nothing you'd need to do right now.
[Or ever, hopefully.
But he knows hoping gets you nothing here.]
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Loki also thinks more and more that it really would be a better idea for Hiyori to be in charge of organizing all of this. Despite the cheer in his voice, Loki can hear how serious he is about all of this as well. His charm and way with people in general will do them all good. Loki’s attempted leadership enough in his life to know that he is not suited to it and to know when someone else is.
What Hiyori says next has him intrigued.]
Okay, what is it you need from me?
[Loki is pretty sure he’ll say yes to whatever it is. He knows all too well how much Hiyori has helped him out and doesn’t foresee saying no now, but the way he asks has Loki a little worried.]
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[If only he could leave it there. With him thanking Loki for reaching out to Baizhu. Alas, he can't.
He thinks about how Baizhu reacted when he tried to talk about this with him. He did promise, in the end, but he wasn't happy. And Hiyori knows, after the experience they shared in the Punishment Room, that this won't make Loki happy, either. Still, he comes out and says it.]
I asked Baizhu-san about this too, actually. Basically, I wanted you both to know that I keep some notes in my room. About how the resort works, what happens to people here, what the House and the suits are like, and all that stuff. Then I wrote some personal messages too, for people here and people back home.
[A slight pause, before he clarifies:]
Kind of like the note that other "me" wrote for Jun-kun.
[He forces a smile. It's hard; he's not in quite as bad a state as he was when he spoke to Baizhu, because Rinne's disappearance isn't still a fresh wound. But it still hurts, still makes him feel scared. Every day, he wonders who will be next: will it be someone he's met here, or someone from his world? If it's the latter—if it's inevitable that someone else from his world will disappear—then he can only hope that it's him instead of Jun. Even though he knows that's the last thing his partner would ever want...
He shakes off those feelings of dread and guilt, looking Loki in the eye as he asks:]
So if I ever disappear and become a statue like Rinne-senpai, I was hoping you could recover those. You'd have an easier time with that than Baizhu-san, since you've already broken into that storage room before. We both know it takes a while to find things in there, though, so I wondered if it might be better to leave you with a copy.
[There's a longer pause now; he's watching, gauging Loki's response.]
Would that be too much to ask?
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Though his first instinct is to jump in, start talking, Loki manages to reign himself in and just listen. It’s something he’s gotten better at in recent years, not just distracting with words, but actually listening to what others are saying to him. Even when it’s something hard to hear. And what Hiyori is saying is very hard to hear.
Loki understands though. He had also been friendly with Rinne and had been horrified when he’d seen his statue. Helping Reign move the statue to his suite had been one of the hardest things he’d had to do since arriving at the Hotel. And Rinne certainly isn’t the only person he’s lost. Scott might have come back in a younger form, but he is not the friend Loki once had. All that Loki has of him is his old visor. Something he has yet to tell his younger variant.]
So we are clear, you wish for me to take the information about the Hotel that you have gathered as well as letters to those you care about and make sure they get where they need to go, in the event that you suffer the same fate as some of our friends who have left abruptly?
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Mm. That sounds exactly right.
[One day, they'll watch musicals and get up to the fun kind if mischief. One day, he'll share Jun's cooking with Loki and brag about how well he trained his partner. One day, they'll talk about more cheerful things.
But for now he just continues with his request.]
I haven't finished them all yet. But if you don't mind, I'll hand you some letters meant for those closest to me. You can keep them at the bottom of a drawer somewhere and forget them, unless I do disappear.
And there will be one for you, too, of course.
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I do not mind at all. Though I hope I never have to hand them out. I would much prefer we figure out how to properly get home, but yes, I will do this for you.
[Loki comes up short then, frowning slightly in confusion.]
One for me?
[That is unexpected.]
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Thanks a lot! ♪
[And then:]
It's the same for me too, of course. I haven't given up yet. And I'm sure others won't, either.
[Apart from Loki, there are others. There's Bakugo, who intends to use his Wish to defeat the House—a true hero. There's Esikko, who already tried to get them out of here once, and suffered the consequences for it. There's Topaz, who's always working hard with everyone's well-being in mind. He's met all sorts of amazing people here, with all sorts of powers.
But all the same, it's been a while, and no one's succeeded at overthrowing the House or finding a way home yet. When it does happen—and in his heart he does believe that it's a "when" and not an "if"—there's no telling when that will be. Or indeed, whether he'll still be around for it.
Despite harboring that grim outlook, though, his smile is genuine when he nods at the end, the look in his eyes warm.]
Of course! I was raised in a noble household, so I had all sorts of manners drilled into me. That's how I know it would be the height of rudeness to leave without saying goodbye, or giving you a proper thank you. You've done a lot for me, after all.
[He wouldn't entrust his final wishes to just anyone.]
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You are most welcome. I do hope none of us come to the point where we feel we need to give up. I would not want to see any of us become like the more long term residents here.
[Loki has met some of those people and he is glad they are all working so hard, but he can admit, if only to himself, that he has not been putting his all into figuring this place out with others. It has mostly only been Hiyori pushing him along. It seems Loki has fallen back into old habits by trying to figure this place out on his own, at least for the most part.]
Ah yes, manners are everything. I had the same lessons drilled into me as well.
[Even if he didn’t always keep in the habit, as it were. He’s only glad Frigga didn’t see most of those times.] Well then, thank you. I appreciate you thinking of me. But really, I would have to say that it is you who has done much for me.
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[He keeps his tone light. There's more he could say; without Jun to ground him, he honestly doesn't know how he would've turned out in this environment. Would he have fallen back into old habits, treating people like tools, passing his time doing nothing useful? Would he have stopped caring about anything? He likes to think he would've tried to get home, that he wouldn't want to leave Nagisa or the rest of his makeshift family behind. But that desire could've led him to some dark places, too. When people are desperate enough...
Well, there's no use speculating about what-ifs. And maybe his soul would've been fine, since he still would've had companions like Loki by his side. People who value him as more than just a card to be obtained. His eyes shine as he says:]
Then let's make a toast. When we finally go out for drinks, we'll toast to our friendship! To all that we've done for each other, and all that we will do...♪
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Yes, I tend to stay out of the casino as well, though that is only part of the reason. Mostly I just do not care so much about gambling. Even when not actively working to get out of here, there are much more pleasant places in the resort to visit.
[If anyone knows about how dark you can go in desperate times, it is definitely Loki. He is also the one who would know about how to come back from that. He also has no intention of ever letting Hiyori fall like that, nor any of his friends. No matter what happens here, he will do everything he can from preventing such things, Hiyori need not worry about that.]
That sounds like a wonderful plan. We should do that soon.
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[If it's ever over. With every day that passes, he's less sure it will be.
But he won't succumb to those fears. Not now, and hopefully not ever. Even if things never improve at all, even if he's destined to disappear, even if he and Jun-kun and Leo-kun are absolutely doomed, he wants to be seen as someone who smiled until the end.]
Mhm! ♪ Then it's settled.
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[Even Loki, though he can’t imagine anything will have settled down enough for him once he’s home. Probably the exact opposite. It’s nice to dream though.
No matter what, Loki plans on fighting to the end. He didn’t give up at the TVA and he’s not about to give up here either. He plans on doing whatever it takes to get him and all his friends, Hiyori included, out of here and back home, no matter how long it takes.]
Excellent. I look forward to it.
🎀
[He chirps his agreement.]
A long break is exactly what we need.
[A voluntary resort vacation from their involuntary resort vacation.
His time here hasn't been all bad, despite all his griping. And that's partly because of Loki. Because of the people he's met who are fun, fascinating, kind... He smiles at Loki, warm and full of gratitude, and he hopes this is how he's always remembered.]